Editorial: Break With The Past

ONCE THE city of Mobile hires a professional management firm to take over Ladd-Peebles Stadium, the organization can make a clean break from its controversial past. And when that happens, there will be little need for the stadium’s board to be anything more than an advisory body.

Board chairman Earl McKinnell deserves credit for bringing up the issue this week and for recognizing that it may even be time to dissolve the group altogether. Mr. McKinnell was correct in saying that overseeing the stadium "requires more time, expertise and resources than these seven volunteer members can offer."

Over the past few weeks, it has become increasingly clear that the stadium’s management was in disarray and that the board hadn’t provided the proper oversight.

In August, board treasurer John Thompson discovered that former stadium manager Paul Christopher paid himself and an assistant overtime without board approval. Then, after other discrepancies were uncovered — including an extravagant Christmas dinner and purchases from the former chairman’s business made with stadium money — the city stepped in and took over day-to-day management.

The move by Mayor Sam Jones was decisive and welcome.

For the time being, the stadium’s financial decisions must be routed through the office of Bobby Bostwick, director of the city’s Cultural and Civic Development arm. And two of the people linked to the scandals are leaving: Former Chairman Milton Joyner has resigned from the board, and Mr. Christopher continues to work as manager in name only, as he finishes out the football season before leaving March 1.

The next step is for the city to work with the board to hire the best professional management company it can find. Mayor Jones said the company will be chosen through an open and competitive application process. This should be given high priority.

Ladd-Peebles Stadium is too important as an ambassador for the city of Mobile for it to get stuck in the quicksand of its recent financial scandals. It is home to the Senior Bowl, the GoDaddy.com Bowl and University of South Alabama football.

Its future can be even brighter — but in order for the stadium to move forward, it first has to break with the past.